After a curtailed Gameweek over Tuesday and Wednesday’s matches, it’s time to revisit PlayON with a full set of Premier League fixtures under our arm.
For those who are new to this, we’ve been indulging in PlayON for several weeks now and a good number of the community have joined us and won some cash in the process. PlayON is a new weekly Fantasy football game that’s simple to play and, with the Opta data available to our members, you lot can get a real edge with stats like interceptions and clearances all contributing to the points scored.
The live matchday experience is also rather nice – watching your points roll in and your standings in your games fall and rise in real time is a new and welcome experience to our Fantasy football weekend – this starts once the first Premier League match gets underway.
Gameweek 36 Player Picks
While PlayON managers can perhaps look to today’s Scout Picks for guidance on the more obvious transfer targets, we’ve plundered the player list on PlayON to identify our choice of the top value options in each position. As we’ve mentioned previously, finding these gems that allow you to free up funds for heavy-hitters elsewhere is one of the most satisfying and intriguing aspects of the game: here’s our selection ahead of the weekend.
Goalkeepers
Simon Mignolet
While there are cheaper options presented by Villa’s Brad Guzan (7.1) for example, we like Sunderland’s chances of scrapping for a narrow win with a shutout at home to a woefully out-of-form Southampton. The Saints have failed to score in their last three league outings and with Mignolet priced at just 8.7 and ranked second overall for saves this season, he’s an offer that’s just too good to refuse.
Defenders
Martin Skrtel
This is a classic case of an injury opening the door for a player who has, to this point, been out of favour. PlayON’s pricing algorithm has given Skrtel a rock bottom value of just 7.3 and yet the towering centre-back is set to start at Fulham in the absence of the stricken Dan Agger. When you review the stats, this deal just goes on getting better. Fulham are in woeful form having lost their last for league matches, while Skrtel has won three more tackles and made just 11 fewer clearances than Agger having played almost 1000 minutes less.
Midfielders
Hatem Ben Arfa
The trip to Loftus Road is a crunch encounter for the Magpies and Alan Pardew’s side need at least a point to help them scramble to safety. We could get a dour 0-0 stalemate but we reckon Newcastle have to go for the win, with Ben Arfa likely to be pivotal. Restored to the starting lineup in the absence of Mousa Sissoko last weekend, he will be expected to retain his start against the relegated R’s. He had three attempts on goal in 65 minutes at Upton Park and we reckon we can get decent returns from him this weekend for a paltry price of 7.6. Marouane Fellaini at 9.6 against West Ham at Goodison, also looks a decent deal higher up the price brackets.
Forwards
Emmanuel Adebayor
This position is always more tricky given that there are only two slots to fill and therefore, taking a risk, is not often advised. Even so, if you’re looking to save pennies, Tottenham’s Adebayor looks well priced. Available for just 10.0, he’ll go to the Britannia having returned a goal and an assist in the draw with Chelsea, capping a superb midweek display. Jermain Defoe is likely to be benched again, then, affording Adebayor at least an hour or so to trouble a Stoke defence that has been far from dominant in front of their own fans. With Spurs needing a result, Adebayor could be worth the punt. City’s Edin Dzeko, perhaps set for a starting role following the FA Cup Final, could also be worth a look at 11.1 up against relegated Reading on Tuesday.
How To Play
Once your starting XI is built (you can change your team as many times as you like up to 10 minutes before the first kick-off) you can compete for cash. Entering a multiplayer game for a set stake, you’ll have a chance of wining your share of the pot should you finish high enough in the rankings – once again, there’s a £1,000 guaranteed pot this week.
Similarly, you can challenge another player one-on-one, selecting the amount at stake. The likes of Robbie Fowler, Gareth Southgate and Opta Joe are all playing the game and are there to be challenged for £1.
Challenge Your Mates
You can also set up your own multiplayer games with your mates. While we have some Fantasy Football Scout games to enter, there’s an incentive to set up your own this week.
If you set up a £2 entry game and get 10 players and £20 in the pot, then PlayON will add an extra £5 in prize money to your game.
Create your own game at www.playon.co.uk.
For more details on PlayON and just why you should be playing it, check out our “Introducing” article from last week.
PlayON is a form of gambling so you have to be aged over 18 and over to play and, if you do wager some cash, please remember to gamble responsibly.
